LONGVIEW, Texas — A Longview man was sentenced Monday to 30 years in prison for killing his roommate and stabbing his other roommate in March 2022.
Michael Lee Ralston, 51, pleaded guilty murder in connection with the shooting death of Eric Matthew Wynns, 44, of Longview, and to aggravated assault for injuring Johnathan Dillard on March 19, 2022, according to judicial records.
He then received 30 years for the murder charge and 20 years for the aggravated assault charge. He will serve the sentences at the same time, records show.
Documents identified Dillard as Wynns’ brother and roommate.
According to an arrest affidavit obtained by the Longview News-Journal, Ralston told investigators that Wynns came to his room and harassed him about a text message. Wynns was videotaping him with his phone, and Ralston said "Wynns made him fear for his life,” the affidavit said. Ralston said he took out a gun and shot Wynns.
The affidavit said Dillard took the gun away from Wynns. Ralston said the gun was empty and he was looking for another magazine.
After Dillard took the gun away, Ralston pulled his knife out and stabbed Dillard, the affidavit said. Detectives watched several videos that were taken during the altercation.
The document also mentioned that Wynns and Ralston were having "noise feuds" with each other.
"They believe the two were intentionally being loud to annoy each other," the affidavit said.